SON gets Reps’ nod to try fake products’ importers

The House of Representatives has said it would pass a bill empowering the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to prosecute importers and manufacturers of substandard goods.

The Chairman , House Committee on Industries, Alhaji Mohammed Onawo, who led members of the Committee to SON’s office, yesterday, in Lagos, said the House is ready to give SON all the needed legislative backing in its crusade against production and circulation of substandard products in the country.

“ There is a bill before the House from SON. It has to do with empowering the agency to prosecute those dealing with fake products. Now that we have seen the good work of SON, we will be delighted to pass it. We have no option now than to pass it,” Onawo said.

He urged the organisation to embark on awareness campaigns to educate consumers, saying the measure would enable consumers to identify and avoid substandard products.

“ There is no doubt that there is a big task before you which you have set. We will help you to achieve the goals. We know there are lots of challenge, but with determination and courage, we know that a lot will be achieved.

“We have visited some of your laboratories and we are not encouraged with what we’ve seen. We have identified this as one of your challenges. We want to assure you that we are going to give you every support you need to deliver on your mandate, “Onawo said.

The Director-General of SON, Dr.Joseph Odumodu, said the agency is compelled to sanitise the country from the influx of substandard and fake products, adding that SON is ready to take further steps to get rid of fake products in the country.

He noted that lack of a strong legal structure has hindered the agency from prosecuting the manufacturers, importers or distributors of fake and substandard products in the country.